The Advanced Placement (AP) program offers a variety of college-level courses across multiple subjects. Here’s a summary of each AP subject along with major units and typical subtopics, organized by subject category. Note that while syllabi can vary slightly by school, the following provides a comprehensive overview aligned with the AP standards and exam content.
1. AP English
AP English Language and Composition
- Unit 1: Rhetorical Analysis
- Subtopics: Argument structure, rhetorical devices, purpose, audience
- Unit 2: Argumentative Writing
- Subtopics: Thesis development, evidence selection, counterarguments
- Unit 3: Synthesis and Source Integration
- Subtopics: Combining sources, avoiding plagiarism, credible sourcing
- Unit 4: Style and Tone
- Subtopics: Syntax, diction, tone, voice in writing
AP English Literature and Composition
- Unit 1: Short Fiction Analysis
- Subtopics: Themes, character development, setting, narrative structure
- Unit 2: Poetry Analysis
- Subtopics: Meter, symbolism, figurative language, theme interpretation
- Unit 3: Novel and Drama Analysis
- Subtopics: Character relationships, societal themes, literary devices
2. AP History & Social Studies
AP U.S. History
- Unit 1: Colonization and Settlement (1491–1607)
- Subtopics: Native American societies, European exploration, colonial economies
- Unit 2: American Revolution and Independence
- Subtopics: Revolutionary causes, key battles, Declaration of Independence
- Unit 3: Civil War and Reconstruction
- Subtopics: Causes of the Civil War, key battles, Reconstruction policies
- Unit 4: Modern America
- Subtopics: Industrialization, Great Depression, Civil Rights, Cold War
AP World History: Modern
- Unit 1: The Global Tapestry (1200–1450)
- Subtopics: State building, trade networks, cultural diffusion
- Unit 2: Land-Based Empires (1450–1750)
- Subtopics: Ottoman, Mughal, and Ming empires, trade impact
- Unit 3: Revolutions and Global Conflicts (1750–1900)
- Subtopics: Industrial Revolution, imperialism, WWI and WWII
AP Psychology
- Unit 1: Research Methods
- Subtopics: Experimental design, ethics, statistical analysis
- Unit 2: Biological Bases of Behavior
- Subtopics: Brain anatomy, neurotransmission, hormones
- Unit 3: Learning and Memory
- Subtopics: Conditioning, memory processes, cognitive biases
3. AP Sciences
AP Biology
- Unit 1: Chemistry of Life
- Subtopics: Biomolecules, water properties, enzyme function
- Unit 2: Cell Structure and Function
- Subtopics: Cell organelles, membranes, transport mechanisms
- Unit 3: Genetics and Evolution
- Subtopics: Mendelian genetics, natural selection, gene expression
- Unit 4: Ecology
- Subtopics: Ecosystems, population dynamics, biodiversity
AP Chemistry
- Unit 1: Atomic Structure and Properties
- Subtopics: Atomic models, electron configuration, periodic trends
- Unit 2: Chemical Bonding and Intermolecular Forces
- Subtopics: Ionic and covalent bonds, molecular geometry
- Unit 3: Thermodynamics and Kinetics
- Subtopics: Reaction rates, enthalpy, entropy, free energy
AP Physics 1 (Algebra-Based)
- Unit 1: Kinematics
- Subtopics: Motion graphs, velocity, acceleration
- Unit 2: Dynamics (Forces and Newton’s Laws)
- Subtopics: Newton’s laws, friction, circular motion
- Unit 3: Energy and Momentum
- Subtopics: Work, kinetic and potential energy, conservation laws
AP Environmental Science
- Unit 1: Ecosystems and Energy Flow
- Subtopics: Food chains, trophic levels, biodiversity
- Unit 2: Population Ecology
- Subtopics: Population dynamics, carrying capacity
- Unit 3: Pollution and Resource Management
- Subtopics: Pollution types, renewable resources, sustainability
4. AP Mathematics
AP Calculus AB
- Unit 1: Limits and Continuity
- Subtopics: Limits, asymptotes, continuity
- Unit 2: Differentiation
- Subtopics: Derivative rules, applications of derivatives
- Unit 3: Integration and Accumulation of Change
- Subtopics: Antiderivatives, definite integrals, area and volume calculations
AP Calculus BC (includes all of AP Calculus AB plus the following)
- Unit 4: Polynomial Approximations and Series
- Subtopics: Taylor series, convergence, approximations
AP Statistics
- Unit 1: Data Analysis
- Subtopics: Types of data, graphical displays, measures of spread
- Unit 2: Probability and Random Variables
- Subtopics: Probability rules, normal distribution, z-scores
- Unit 3: Statistical Inference
- Subtopics: Hypothesis testing, confidence intervals, p-values
5. AP Computer Science
AP Computer Science A
- Unit 1: Primitive Data Types
- Subtopics: Variables, data types, operators
- Unit 2: Object-Oriented Programming
- Subtopics: Classes, inheritance, polymorphism
- Unit 3: Algorithms and Control Structures
- Subtopics: Loops, conditional statements, recursion
AP Computer Science Principles
- Unit 1: Digital Information
- Subtopics: Binary representation, data compression, encryption
- Unit 2: Internet and Data Security
- Subtopics: Cybersecurity, internet structure, privacy
- Unit 3: Programming
- Subtopics: Basic coding, app development, debugging
6. AP Arts
AP Art and Design (2D, 3D, and Drawing)
- Unit 1: Inquiry and Investigation
- Subtopics: Concept development, medium exploration, artistic intent
- Unit 2: Practice and Experimentation
- Subtopics: Materials testing, iterative design
- Unit 3: Portfolio Development
- Subtopics: Artistic statement, work refinement, presentation
AP Music Theory
- Unit 1: Fundamentals of Music
- Subtopics: Scales, intervals, key signatures
- Unit 2: Harmony and Voice Leading
- Subtopics: Chord progressions, counterpoint, cadences
- Unit 3: Musical Analysis
- Subtopics: Form, genre analysis, stylistic techniques
7. AP World Languages
Example: AP Spanish Language and Culture
- Unit 1: Families and Communities
- Subtopics: Family structures, social customs, regional practices
- Unit 2: Science and Technology
- Subtopics: Innovation impact, ethical considerations
- Unit 3: Global Challenges
- Subtopics: Environmental issues, economic challenges, migration
